My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

a seat at the table with the rest

my ‘dream’ and received many gasps

the whole time I was talking, making

looking back and

are some things that just

my hand

my eyebrows as I stared at him, "Like

friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he said he couldn’t remember all

that Devin and Nyla were able to not only bring him down but wound him with a

their thoughts, "Apollo has never been one to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His

hurt him," I repeated what

"I wish that I could believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it

conversations since then, trying to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that

you think Apollo is a part of Devin’s

looked at Zayd this time

part of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but

Zayd told me gently.

thought of being betrayed by

do you think you could get

prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up

a resounding, "Yes Alpha" filled the

dad calls, you

sat down next to me.I was

I understand," I replied, not really

packhouse soon.I have some phone calls to make.Do you want to stay home today, or do you want to go over with me?"

packhouse." I

we can go together.I don’t want you out walking around by yourself,

at him

to the packhouse, stopping a

me to the office next door to his where Adria and Genesis currently

large books in front of them that looked to be hundreds of years

"Any luck?"

sat Kyra down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play mats in

shaking their heads, "Not yet, but we

Adria replied.

titled, Our to be read often.I carefully flipped through the

but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams

as she rose from her

get Blaze and I

began to fuss just as Dane walked through the door, "Any

the book she was currently reading and stood stretching

the phone; he said he would meet us downstairs for lunch,"

the wall above the door, surprised to see it was

explain Kyra’s mood

little girl isn’t about to miss a meal, I

downstairs together, meeting up with everyone as we

in her highchair between her and

couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting him, I don’t really know

focused mainly on Kyra and

think it was

about Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra or give me very vague answers

be," I murmured

think we should talk

expression became one of worry, but he didn’t push the

in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well

felt like it was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he had played us...well, me

Genesis and Adria took the kids to her house so they could take a nap while the rest

brains behind all of this," I stated not waiting

shot up in surprise at

points this morning and it got me really thinking.Apollo was a little too friendly when he was here.He hasn’t been able to come back to visit in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick

in silence once I finished

stopped pacing the office to gauge

agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t say.I think that Devin is cleverer than you think.We

head as I thought about it, continuing my

the phone call

I looked at Zayd.

was on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or hoping, it was with

was planning to come and speak with

a little, "Why not talk on the phone

at me, "Vampires are very

sit down, "And your pacing is about

down with a sigh, wishing none of this

Zayd, "I spoke with Uncle Dayton

on.He’s one of the very few people I

whole pack, but then again, there aren't too many things he wouldn’t do for

he needed to move his pack next to

does he want to do that?" I finally

good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never

to hear his loyalty

but he has been willing

have Adria

Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We don’t need

left us alone in the office,